Maternity gown



R. J. MEEKS MATERN; TY GOWN Aug. 28, 1934.

Filed 001;. 29. 1932 Russell J Nee/(s w y Z Patented Aug. 28, 1934 MATERNITY GOWN Russell J. Meeks, Spokane, Wash.

Application October 29, 1932, Serial No. 640,263

1 Claim.

My invention relates to maternity gowns and certain objects of the invention are to provide, in combination with an expansible gown, a girdle concealably and adjustably mounted within the gown and comprising means whereby the gown and girdle may be expanded or let out whenever necessary during the advancing stages of pregnancy. Further objects are to provide a gown that is neat in appearance, simple in design, comfortable to wear, and which supports and prevents the abdominal regions of the wearer from reaching abnormal proportions and unsightly appearance during pregnancy.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of the novel construction, adaptation, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed. These objects are accomplished by devices illustrated in the accompanying drawing; wherein: Figure 1 is a general view in perspective showing the gown as it appears when worn by a female; Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in perspective showing the gown in an open position with the girdle exposed to view; Fig. 3 is a detail view in perspective of the adjustable girdle; and Fig. 4 is a view in horizontal section taken on a broken line 44 of Fig. 3.

Referring in detail to the drawing throughout which like reference numerals indicate like parts, the garment 5 is of the overlapping type with waist strings 6 connected to its front overlapping edges. The garment may be overlapped on either side and slits 7 are provided in its sides through which either one of the strings may pass, depending upon whether it is folded over on the right or left, and the strings are tied in the back. The garment may, of course, be made in attractive style with pockets and trimmings as desired.

A girdle 8 is fastened centrally in the back portion of the garment 5. The fastenings for the girdle are preferably of a temporary nature so that same may be readily removed and raised or lowered to correspond with the height and location of the abdominal region of the wearer. As most clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing, the front portion of the girdle is provided on each side with vertical slots or openings 9 which are faced or bridged on the interior with expansible plait members 10 that are stitched to the girdle. The vertical openings are provided on each side with eyelets 11 wherein laces 12 are used for contracting or expanding the openings as will be understood.

A front member 13 extends across the front of the girdle 8 between the two foregoing described expansible members 10 one of its edges being stitched to one of said members and its other end edge has a member 14 secured thereto 50 which member is provided with hooks 15 or the like. The opposite edge of the girdle is provided with a member 16 stitched to the other expansible member and having eyes or other fastenings 1'? which receive the hooks 15 whereby the girdle is fastened together.

It will now be apparent that I have provided a maternity gown having an expansible girdle mounted therein whereby the gown may be fastened around the waist and concealing the girdle 7 which may be expanded or let out during the advancing stages of pregnancy. The gown is neat in appearance, comfortable to wear, supports the abdomen, and retains the figure of the wearer in comparatively normal proportions during the pregnant period.

Having thus described my invention, it being understood that minor changes may be resorted to in its construction and arrangement without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America A maternity gown comprising an overlapping open-front gown member having slits in its sides, waist strings secured to the front edges of the gown and arranged to pass through the slits whereby they may be tied in the back, a girdle secured to the back of the gown and adapted to fit around the abdomen of a wearer, expansible and fastening means for the front of the girdle, said means comprising a front member, a vertical slot between each end of the girdle and each end of the front member, laces passing through holes in the end edges of the girdle and front member, an expansible plait member secured across each of said slots, and said front member provided with a vertical slit equipped with separable fasteners.

RUSSELL J. MEEKS. 

